Owners Ron and Bridgette Venturi opened shop at 1463 St. Charles St. in December, and this is their first outdoor festival.

Ron Venturi said most store-bought oils that claim to be extra virgin olive oil can be deceiving because they are typically cut with regular olive oil. Deep South's products, Venturi said, are made from the freshest ingredients and processed a special way to ensure that it's pure.

Venturi said their oils and vinegar have been drawing good crowds at the festival, and they plan to attend the fall festival with even more varieties.

Rita and Roger Smith are owners of Ole Homestead Gourmet Jelly, which is based in north Louisiana. They said they've been selling their specialty jams at the festival for 17 years.

"We love it here," said Roger Smith. "It's a social event and we've got seniority, so that's why we're up front."

Roger said their more than 50 flavors of jelly are the made from the "best nature has to offer."

They also sell molasses, fig syrup and pure cane syrup.

Lafayette sisters and shoppers Mellissa and Michelle Yanovich said the selection is great, but with so many options it's hard for them to just buy one thing.

"There's, like, a million different things here," said Mellissa, pointing to a baby sitting in a large bucket that's been crafted into a leather cushioned seat. "Like that bucket seat right there — I want that."

Proceeds from the marketplace help restore and preserve Southdown Plantation House and Museum. The pink and green sugar manor house, off La. 311 on the banks of Little Bayou Black, dates back to the 19th century.

<p>Thousands of locals and out-of-towners flocked to Saturday's bi-annual Southdown Marketplace craft show.</p><p>Rachel Cherry, president of the Southdown Plantation House, said about 3,500 people showed up by noon to visit the outdoor festival. </p><p>Organizers said the festival usually draws 6,000 to 8,000 people. Despite the rain that started falling in the early afternoon, Cherry said she still expects to reach that average.</p><p>The festival encompasses more than 300 local vendors and crafters from across the country selling jewelry, clothes, jams, woodcrafts, furniture, wine, paintings, toys and food. </p><p>Cherry said more vendors just keep on coming. </p><p>One of the newest vendors participating this year, Cherry said, is a Houma-based oil and vinegar outfit. </p><p>Deep South Oil and Vinegar makes extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.</p><p>Owners Ron and Bridgette Venturi opened shop at 1463 St. Charles St. in December, and this is their first outdoor festival. </p><p>Ron Venturi said most store-bought oils that claim to be extra virgin olive oil can be deceiving because they are typically cut with regular olive oil. Deep South's products, Venturi said, are made from the freshest ingredients and processed a special way to ensure that it's pure.</p><p>They have 30 varieties of extra virgin olive oil and 25 types of balsamic vinegars, Venturi said.</p><p>Types of flavored oils include: basil, lemon, wild mushroom, Tuscan herb, blood orange and Persian lime. Vinegar flavors include: apricot, dark chocolate, tangerine and black cherry, to name a few. </p><p>"We wanted to do something different," Venturi said. "We wanted to provide something that Houma doesn't already have."</p><p>Venturi said their oils and vinegar have been drawing good crowds at the festival, and they plan to attend the fall festival with even more varieties. </p><p>Rita and Roger Smith are owners of Ole Homestead Gourmet Jelly, which is based in north Louisiana. They said they've been selling their specialty jams at the festival for 17 years. </p><p>"We love it here," said Roger Smith. "It's a social event and we've got seniority, so that's why we're up front."</p><p>Roger said their more than 50 flavors of jelly are the made from the "best nature has to offer."</p><p>They also sell molasses, fig syrup and pure cane syrup. </p><p>Lafayette sisters and shoppers Mellissa and Michelle Yanovich said the selection is great, but with so many options it's hard for them to just buy one thing. </p><p>"There's, like, a million different things here," said Mellissa, pointing to a baby sitting in a large bucket that's been crafted into a leather cushioned seat. "Like that bucket seat right there — I want that." </p><p>Proceeds from the marketplace help restore and preserve Southdown Plantation House and Museum. The pink and green sugar manor house, off La. 311 on the banks of Little Bayou Black, dates back to the 19th century.</p>